_Editor’s note: A previous version of this article introduced Elias Harris as Tobias Harris._

h3. Looking Up

*1) Brandon Paul’s re-emergence*

Ignore the 5-for-14 finish and even the uneventful second half. Brandon Paul made a statement in Illinois’ 71-62 win at Maryland, and fans should take note. After failing to record a field goal in two of the past three games — and camping well away from the paint — Paul showed a gritty slashing side against the Terrapins that had curiously remained in the garage to date. The shots will eventually fall; until then, enjoy the view because when Paul decides he wants to get to the hole, there is little to no stopping him.

*2) Sam Maniscalco’s big night*

Maniscalco was simply there for the Illini when they needed it most. The fifth-year senior came up big on a night leading scorer D.J. Richardson was out of synch, finishing with a team-high 24 points. Whether a sly move to get three free throws out of a 3-point miss or a momentum-swinging bomb to take the lead with 14:27 remaining in the second half, the point guard showed he could put the team on his back when offense was scarce.

*3) The 45 percent*

The 41.8 shooting percentage on offense won’t wow anyone, but it’s of no concern as long as the Illini continue to hold opponents under 45 percent shooting. To date, none of Illinois’ seven opponents has reached that mark, and the Illini have forced an average of 15.6 turnovers a game. Last season, the Illini defense scored well in the percentage categories but forced few turnovers. That team had an average turnover margin of -0.6, “good” for 214th in the nation. With freshmen Tracy Abrams and Nnanna Egwu helping to right that mark, the Illini are well positioned to at least partially weather the inevitable offensive ups and downs that accompany any green roster.

h3. Looking Down

*4) Donut offense*

When exactly is this team going to “pound it down low” as vowed in the preseason? Things are going to get ugly for Illinois if it continues to play around the horn for 35 seconds each possession. There’s really nothing more to say here: Either this team will attack the basket or it will live, die and die by the three.

The roster has far too much talent to languish in a sort of soft shell that resembles a Princeton system minus the basket cuts. Head for the hoop, young men.

*5) Uncleaned glass*

At the half in College Park, Md., the undersized Terps had a 35-31 lead on the Illini — which would be a surprise except it’s plagued Illinois frequently at times this season. The team bounced back, winning the second half 40-27, but what happens when it faces a team like Ohio State, which bullied even Duke on the boards? The Illini have plenty of size and stand to gain from cashing in on it. Gonzaga’s 7-foot ogre Robert Sacre will offer a perfect litmus test for Illinois’ front court Saturday.

*6) Production from the bench*

At the half, the Illini had received just one point from the bench, a free throw by Mike Shaw. Keep in mind, this is a very young team playing in its first road game of the regular season. Nevertheless, Illinois is far too deep to get five points in 41 minutes from the bench.

h3. Looking Ahead

*7) What if the threes don’t fall against the Zags?*

Sacre and wings Elias Harris, Sam Dower and Mike Hart give the Zags a formidable interior defense, which means the Illini will find points in the paint hard to come by. Should the threes not fall, will the Illini be able to stay above water? The Illini figure to get plenty of good looks from behind the arc, though, as the Zags have accrued an opponents’ 3-point percentage of 43.6 percent in four games this season — 329th in the nation. Illinois cashed in on Gonzaga’s soggy perimeter defense last year and hit 12 of 23 from long range last year in a 73-61 win in Seattle. On the other end of the floor, Gonzaga will certainly improve on its 3-for-16 mark last season thanks to an influx of guards, including freshman point guard Kevin Pangos (59.1 percent of 3-pointers).

*8) Can the Illini get to the free throw line?*

It’s no secret that Gonzaga and its young backcourt has a tendency to foul. Can the Illini take advantage of the Zags’ 14.5 fouls per game average? Paul and Maniscalco proved just how life-saving the charity stripe can be Tuesday when they lifted Illinois to a win on a cold night as a team by combining to go 13-of-13 from the line, while Maryland hit just 15-of-25 (60 percent). Paul in particular has a chance to prove his big night attacking the rim was more than a one-time deal.

*9) Who will win the turnover battle?*

The Illini and their highly athletic defense have forced plenty of turnovers this season (109 in seven games), but protecting the ball has been a bit of an issue. Last year, the Illini won after they coughed up the ball just six times to the Zags’ 11. In limited action this season, Gonzaga has an impressive 5.5 average turnover margin.

*Bonus round*

Gonzaga’s offense isn’t pretty, but the Zags get the job done and can score in bunches. Can the Illinois back court keep 3-point ace Pangos from going off? The Canadian national tied a school record with nine 3-pointers in his second career game, a win over Washington State. Individual players have had perhaps a little too much success against the Illini at times this season, even when team-wide the numbers favor Illinois; Tuesday it was Maryland’s Terrell Stoglin, who poured in 25 points.